Megabass Super Xlayer 4.5" Soft Lure – A True Japanese Classic

There are legendary fishing lures, and then there is the Megabass Super Xlayer 4.5". In my opinion, this is one of the most influential soft plastic lures ever to arrive on the European bass fishing scene. It was one of the lures that really introduced European anglers to the Japanese way of thinking when it came to fishing soft plastics, and it remains every bit as relevant today.

The Super Xlayer is a beautifully designed, slim-profile soft lure that imitates small baitfish and other natural prey. Its subtle action and versatile design make it an excellent choice for targeting bass, pollack and other predatory fish around our shores.

What makes the Xlayer so effective is that it doesn't need an exaggerated swimming action to catch fish. Small movements, gentle twitches and changes in retrieve speed can bring the lure to life. Sometimes the less you do with it, the better it fishes.

A Versatile Soft Lure for UK Bass Fishing

One of the clever things about the Megabass Super Xlayer is that it can be rigged either way up, depending on where and how you intend to fish it.

This gives anglers the freedom to experiment with its presentation, whether working it close to the seabed, fishing around structure or retrieving it through the water column.

The 4.5-inch profile is an excellent size for UK bass fishing, particularly when fish are feeding on sandeels, small baitfish and other slender prey.

The Super Xlayer can be fished on a conventional jig head, with a weedless presentation or using other finesse rigging methods. It is equally at home being worked slowly along the bottom or twitched and retrieved to imitate a struggling baitfish.

Mick's Tip – Keep That Jig Head Light!

One thing I have always believed when fishing soft lures is that you should use the lightest jig head you can reasonably get away with.

This is particularly important with a lure like the Super Xlayer, where much of its effectiveness comes from its natural, subtle movement.

Too much weight can spoil that presentation, making the lure fall too quickly and restricting the movement that makes it so effective. Want to know a match made in heaven? Rig the 4.5in Xlayer on a Decoy 7g Bachi head.... thank me later.

Of course, tide, wind, water depth and casting distance all play their part, but I would always start as light as conditions allow and only increase the weight when necessary.

Don't be afraid to experiment with rigging the Xlayer either way up. It's one of the features that makes this such a versatile lure.

For me, the Super Xlayer isn't simply another soft plastic. It's a genuine classic that helped change the way many of us approached lure fishing in Europe.

Key Features

• Length: 4.5 inches (approximately 115 mm)

• Brand: Megabass Japan

• Lure type: Soft plastic finesse lure

• Profile: Slim baitfish-style body

• Rigging: Can be rigged either way up to alter presentation

• Fishing methods: Jig heads, weedless rigging and finesse presentations

• Target species: Bass, pollack and other saltwater predators

• Action: Subtle, natural movement that responds to twitches and changes in retrieve

• Ideal conditions: Shallow ground, deeper marks, rocky areas and open water, depending on rigging and jig head weight

A true Japanese soft lure classic, and one that thoroughly deserves its legendary reputation.

My prefered weedless Jig Heads are:

Length: 115mm (4.5")

Weight: 6g

Quantity per pkt: 7